Reed No. 51 Pipe Vise Resto

I picked this up off ebay recently for $10 plus shipping. Since I'd never seen one like it before, I couldn't resist. It came without the strap, so yesterday I cut a piece of heavy duty nylon strap to size and it appears to be similar to what was there originally.

The vise is designed to grip pipes in the noose of the strap without scratching them. It is in great shape for it's age. I don't think that it was ever used very much. Threads are fantastic and the handle isn't bent at all. I plan to clean it up and paint it nice and pretty.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to secure the strap to the vise? I have a tentative plan, but I can't really explain it with just words.

<<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/5078262801/" title="IMG_5830 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5078262801_16f81f31aa_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_5830" /></a>

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I've seen the straps with a rod at the end. And as you pull up on the straps, the rods press down. I've also seen people simply just knot them up too.

Fold each end over and sew acrodd the strap about 3/4" from the fold. This gives you a pocket to slide a steel bar into. I think this is the same thing that padronanniversary is telling you. Reed is still in business. Have you contacted them?

Can you tell us a little about the pipe vise in the background? Is it a Trimo?

Hey that sounds like a good idea! I'm pretty sure you're both saying the say thing. Much easier and simpler than what I was thinking of. That's why I love this place.

The pipe vise in the background is just a regular old Reed. I don't know the model number off the top of my head, but I can get it later. I got it at the same time as Behemoth from an old barge repair shop. It was used hard but not all-but-destroyed like the other tools I found there.

Bump.

I just bought the exact same vise. Have not been able to find out details about age and whatnot, but mine does have the, what looks to be original, supports for the strap......

There are two metal wedges holding the strap in place.